How do you feel when you have a thought that may cause you anxiety because you don’t feel right about it in your heart?
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2Co 10:4)
We do get very strong thoughts direct from the devil; the problem is those thoughts weave their way into our minds that we start thinking, “Maybe that’s not so bad.” When we get the thought, “Maybe that’s not so bad,” believe me it is bad. That is the way the devil thinks to get his way. Those thoughts can manifest into real conditions. We may get ill, or say the wrong thing to our loved one or friend, or get into a financial situation that keeps us awake at night.
All these problems are strongholds like a prison and we are prisoners, and we need the Lord and the Holy Spirit to help us to be free again. Paul tells us that our weapons spiritual, not something we are holding in our hand. Yes, our weapons are spiritual, we start swinging a sword of truth when we begin to praise the Lord gaining power through the Holy Spirit as we worship the King of Kings. Our bodies get stronger with worship and declaring God’s Word. Our emotions soften and repentance is easier when we are praising the Lord. Our outlook on difficult conditions changes as we bring those conditions to the foot of the cross. God pulls down the strongholds when we turn to Him. The mighty sword of God’s Word crushes any fortress the devil tries put us in. It is the mighty Word of God that sets us free. However you feel today, you have the opportunity to praise and worship the Lord and watch what He can do for you. Amen.
DEC 2
PRAYER CHOICES
Did you ever think that there are many kinds of prayer?
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Eph 6:18)
When Paul tells us to put on the whole armour of God and take up the weapons against warfare, he also added prayer. Not just one prayer, but many kinds of prayers. There are public, private, and secret prayers in church. Then we have social and solitary as at a Bible Study. There are solemn and sudden prayers in our homes. Then at last there are confessions of sin, petitions of mercy and thanksgiving prayers.
All of these kinds of prayer are additional weapons we carry into battle, covered with the armour of God and still carrying our sword and shield. Have you wondered what these additional weapons were; they were lances that could be thrown from a long distance before personal contact. In other words, our prayers of all kinds go forward to attack the enemy before we meet them face to face. We know God has won the battles, but we need to show our faith in Him by being prepared and protected with His armour and His weapons including our prayers. We can rest after our prayers are said, resting in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, He was sent to be our comforter. Today after you have said your prayers and submitted them to the Holy Spirit, you too can rest in His victories. Amen.
DEC 3
THE STRESS OF SERVING
As a servant of the Lord ministering to others in the ministry that you were called to serve is at time stressful, the Lord has a word for you.
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient…” (2Ti 2:24)
Paul was always encouraging Timothy who was a young pastor to a very large church. In large churches there is always someone complaining about the leadership. As a pastor, Timothy was a servant of the Lord. In those days servants were also slaves. They didn’t really have the right to make their own decisions about their lives. Their master may be good or not, Timothy’s master was the Lord God, a good master, but a master that was depending on Timothy’s good servant hood. In other words he was a slave to the Lord, and was to follow His Word and be obedient.
Here in this verse the Lord has sent a message to him through Paul. Serving the Lord today is our choice to serve with our agendas or we can surrender all and become a slave to Christ on His agenda. When we strive with our agendas we will be stressed and hard worked as a slave belonging to a bad master. But when we follow the agenda from the Lord, listening to Him every day with a comment, “Here I am Lord, what can I do for You?” then do as He asks of you. When you follow the good master’s orders, you will not be stressed, but you will be amazed at how strong you are and how easily your ministry moves forward. Your attitude to others will be more careful and patient. You will be so willing to teach and share with others. Today is a good time to ask Him for His desires and what you can do for Him, without striving. Amen.
DEC 4
HAVE YOU BEEN ABANDONED
Sometimes it is when we need the support from our friends that they don’t step up to help us.
“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” (2Ti 4:16)
Paul and Timothy knew that because of the fear of the Romans, Christians were in hiding. When they were needed to testify for another brother they would not show up, Paul was imprisoned for that reason, he was abandoned at his inquest, and then he was set in prison. Timothy was always in the fear of the same being the senior pastor of the Church of Ephesus.
This was a very large church and no one was ever safe from the Romans. Therefore even Paul says, “If you find that they have abandoned you, pray for them; ‘I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.’” (2Ti 4:16) In the last days that we are now in we may find others that we believed would stand with us leave us alone, those are the ones Paul says that we pray for. Do you have someone that you think has abandoned you, then today you can pray for them and love them more than ever? Amen.
DEC 5
BELIEVER’S IMPROVEMENT
Have you ever taken a good look at your level of faith?
“When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he said unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” (Joh 6:5-6)
If I were in the position of Philip, looking at a huge crowd of people in need of food, and the Pastor looks to me for a food basket to feed them I think my comment would be, “You want me to do what?” That is the thought in Philip’s mind when Jesus spoke to him. In the first place I have only been once in a stadium where that many people gathered to listen to a preaching. I don’t do well with crowds. I like smaller groups. How about you?
Normally Jesus consulted Peter when He was making a decision, Peter was usually the head of the disciples, but now Jesus consults Philip, not the leader of the disciples. I know you have heard of “childlike faith,” and that is what Jesus was looking for in His disciple. A childlike faith is right to the point and belief in the almost impossible.
A child lacks doubt when they have faith. Jesus was testing Philip’s faith, if He had faith, he would answer Jesus, “Yes Lord.” He would know that Jesus fed the Israelites in the wilderness and could do the same with this these people. The problem was Jesus had not yet revealed His glory, so Philip didn’t know Him yet as the Messiah. After the great miracle of feeding these thousands of people with only two fishes and five small loafs, the disciples grew in their faith in Jesus. In other words there was need improvement in their faith before the miracle.
Their faith grew after the miracle. Jesus wants us to have faith like a child before the miracles. That is our test; do we have that childlike faith which lacks doubt today? When we pray do we believe what we pray for will happen? We are all believers that need improvement in our faith, and this can be your prayer today, for more growth in your faith in Jesus before your prayers are answered. Amen.
DEC 6
WICKED DARTS
I saw a program where a picture, a beautiful picture of young lady that has hung in an estate, was damaged with one dart 35 yrs ago. The dart was directly in her mouth. With that damage she was no longer on display in their hall; she was placed in the cellar. After being repaired the picture of the lady with her beautiful lips is now back in her rightful place.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16)
When we think of the shield covering us, perhaps we don’t remember that our tongue can be very wicked if it is attacked by the devil. My daily prayer is, “Forgive me for my sins Lord, in my thoughts, words and actions.” I always add that in the morning and evening prayers because I know that covers all of me. There is no part of me that the fiery darts from the devil cannot attack.
My faith must be in the Lord at all times I am awake and I must be covered with my shield of faith when I am asleep so the devil cannot get into my thoughts there also. In others words my shield of faith never leaves me uncovered. My faith in my Saviour and King gives me the strength to carry my shield at all times. It is my faith in Jesus that gives me peace when I repent.
My day may be very busy serving Him but serving Him still can damage me if things like pride or greed enter me. I cannot take my rightful place in His righteousness with these sins in my daily life. My humility and generosity is not just for myself but must be for others sharing the love of Christ. Today I hope you are staying safely under your shield of faith with daily repentance. Amen.
DEC 7
A CONFIDANT
Have you got someone in your life that complains a lot? Sometimes these people want to have help with their problems and sometimes they want to treasure them.
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
We all need someone we can confide in other than the Lord. But it is the Lord who will show us that person in our lives. Even when we have someone we need to let them know our problems, we need to also welcome some spiritual help from God’s word and prayer. It is not easy having a person load their problems on you and not except spiritual console or prayer.
James knows the burdens the leadership is bearing from others in the church. That is why he is directing them to pray and give thanks. We cannot be merry without giving thanks. There are those afflicted that ask for pray, but don’t pray themselves. Therefore they have no joy or thanksgiving with heartfelt worship to share in the church; they cannot be merry in the Lord. Today who do you know that needs your prayers, but does not pray, is it you? Even when your faith is weak, praying will strengthen it because you are making the effort. Today we all need to pray to strengthen our faith and be merry. Amen.
DEC 8
EXUBERANT JOY
Do you remember the joy and tears that you experienced when you got saved? That was the ultimate moment of merriment that you will ever experience. But there can be more.
“Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (Jas 5:13)
Merriment does not always come in a group of people. You can be merry alone, singing praises to God, just you and Him. The best cure for sadness is joy, and the way to get joy is to worship the KING of KINGS. Just think of yourself in a king’s chamber, the beauty around you, the beauty of the king and the beauty of your relationship.
The King wants to dance with you, toast to your good health and His and your future together. Wow. How great is that? When you are not feeling well, sing a song of praise, a song of thanksgiving, open your mouth and sing to Jesus. Get excited when you sing rather alone or in the church, lift your voice to the Lord. When you are merry, your feet tap the floor and your hands want to clap, your heart is beating strong and your voice is loud. All of your being loves to be merry, because all of you gets exhilarated. Please as you are now reading this begin to praise the Lord Jesus in song and be merry. Amen.
DEC 9
CONSTRUCTING GOD’S CHURCH
There are always sick among us until the Lord’s return. Here James is pointing out that the elders or leaders of the church have a responsibility to the body outside the church. And the sick have an order to call the leadership for prayer. Now we have Prayer Chains to keep brothers and sisters in prayer.
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (Jas 5:14-15)
Although the Prayer Chain is very good they still do not follow James instruction. First the sick are not just to be prayed for healing, no, they are to be prayed over for healing. They are to be visited and anointed with oil. All believers can do that, but they must first contact one of the leadership before the visit.
James, Paul, and Titus use the titles, “elder and bishop”, in other words they are appointed to special ministries in the church, and all churches should have them. When a member of the body is ill, they need to know who to call following this verse in James. The leader praying over the sick represents physical contact with the minister of the Lord. The anointing of oil represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. Is your church following the verse we have from James? Do they have an appointed leadership? Does your church need prayer for this? Amen.
DEC 10
A STRANGE SUBMISSION
I know that each day we have temptations or offers from the world around us which in most cases they are not good things to follow for a believer.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7)
Most people think when they are to resist the devil; it is for us to stay in good health. That is very true. But our thinking also needs to stay healthy. Submit yourselves therefore to God. When we submit ourselves before God we have taken the big step to resisting the devil. Having to live in this world we may find it hard to submit to God on daily basis. That is why we need God’s word daily and an understanding from the Holy Spirit as our helper and comforter.
When we learn to rely on God we learn to submit to Him. The more we learn the stronger we get to resist the devil. What encourages us to learn more is that as we resist the devil, he flees. In other words the devil finds no comfort with us when we fill his ears with the words of God; he can’t take listening to God’s word or the Name of Jesus. Are you having some problems with the devil, is he causing you stress or taking your peace away. Submit to the Lord all that is troubling you today, give it to Him and give Him thanks. Amen.
DEC 11
ONE TEMPTATION
Even one temptation can cause us stress as we have to stop it or resist it.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1Pe 2:11)
As men and women we have fleshly temptations or lusts. Christians have to deal with these temptations daily. Unbelievers just fall into the sin the temptations provide, but believers have to deal with them. We, as God’s children, saved, sanctified through the blood of Jesus and the cross, still get tempted and still have to resist these temptations.
James is referring to fleshly temptations, which in other words would be considered sexual. But as we know there are many forms of temptation, dishonestly and lying are big sins in my book and they are big temptations also. When we consider the soul, we are speaking of will and emotions. Now today is a good day to recall any temptations that need to be dealt with or repented. Amen.
DEC 12
THEY PRETENDED
When someone says they love you and gossips behind your back, wow, what happens to that relationship?
“Let love be without dissimulation.” (Rom 12:9)
Well, people hurt other people unknowingly, but also people pretend to like or love for gain. Both of these people need prayer. There is discernment of the Holy Spirit to guide those that have hurt someone unknowingly and forgiveness for those that have built false relationships for gain. When Paul was speaking of love, he was always referring to “agape” love. The love we know Jesus has for us and all creation.
That “agape” love that gives never really expects love in return. That love is very hard for us to conceive or understand, because that love is only available through the spirit never through the flesh. As our goal is the agape love then we learn to appreciate others and hold them in great esteem. In fact we spend a great deal of our time thinking about them and showing them love, that we end up with little time to be selfish and think only about ourselves.
So this verse from Paul tells us not to pretend love. Coming back to love for the purpose of gain, that is forbidden. Love is for giving not for taking. Now we each have to look into our relationships with others, if we say we like them, then we are lacking love for them. Jesus never said, “I like you,” He only said, “He is the shepherd and we are His sheep, and we know His voice so we can have all the love He has to give.” There is no better relationship than that and that is the kind of relationship we should all make as our goal. So how are your relationships? Do you need to readjust them today, to stop the pretending and get serious about loving your fellow man? Amen.
DEC 13
YOU CAN SWITCH ANYTIME
I hope you understand the gift you have as a “Born-Again” Christian. You are free to make choices that can bless you.
“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom 12:9)
Paul continues this verse in Romans 12, by strong instructions to under no circumstances do we allow evil to take a place within us. He is saying we are only to receive and give that with is good in our daily lives. Well that sounds good but how do our daily lives stay on that path? We have to make choices, some of them easy and some of them are quite hard. The easy one we think we can make with no great difficulty, but then those hard we quickly turn to the Lord for help.
We need help to believe that although we may lose out on something we would like, we have to give it up to stay on that good and narrow path. What would hurt us most giving up a position or a relationship? How could God ask us to surrender these good things that are in my life? Of course God, and only Him, knows how long these good things will stay good for me The choice is ours and when we see something dark or evil coming into those things, we need to get out and stay out. Perhaps today you need to check up on some of the things you have in your daily life, do you need to pray for guidance in making the right choices to cleave to that which is good. Amen.
DEC 14
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BROTHER?
When we speak of brothers naturally we are speaking of “brethren” in the church.
“Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” (Rom 12:10)
If you are in a small church there can be the most loving relationships with all who attend. They truly become a family, and no is left out. But the problem is all the new faces as the church is growing and you are having a hard times meeting them all and really getting to have fellowship with them. Paul was always concerned about the church and the fellowship. When he wrote these words in this verse, “Be kindly,” I had to think about it.
The first thing I thought of is, am I as kind to others as I should be? If only I took a little more time to show more affection, then I would also be more kind, they go together as one. In the churches Paul was writing too and praying for had no “clicks” in them. Perhaps some of the body lived in the same area of town, then they were brothers first and neighbours second, do you understand the love of the family in Christ must always be first, before the worldly needs. Our church may grow, but that just gives us a reason to make our fellowships grow. Is there a new face that you need to say “Shalom,” to be the first to open up a new relationship today? Amen.
DEC 15
A SERVANT’S REPUTATION
Have you ever thought about your reputation as a Christian has to do with your daily life in the world?
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (Rom 12:11)
Sometimes Christian standards are frightful, they have such low standards that you may not want to be seen with them. I am not talking about just the outward look I’m speaking about their standards of work and ministry. There are so many lazy Christians, with no burning spirit within them to serve, and many of these lazy Christians who also do not want to work or do a good day’s business. Sometimes they want to make short cuts and cheat at work.
Then there is how they live. They also have a reputation to keep up within their home life. The comment, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” is a good one for many Christians to live by. Some people don’t recognize that their laziness is a form of dishonesty, cheating at work or at housework. Enough said today. Perhaps you need to pray about how you are using your time, to serve or to be sloth. Amen.
DEC 16
JOYFUL GIVER
How sad it is when you speak of tithing and people turn off the conversation. Giving back to God and His servants in the church should be done joyfully.
“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Rom 12:13)
We really learn what it is to give when we give to God. That is when we have that special warm feeling within us, we have given not just wanting more for ourselves, not just concerned with our finances, no, those things don’t matter when we are giving to God. Once we have let go of our gift to God or our tithe, we feel a beautiful peace.
That same attitude needs to be in our heart when giving to the saints says Paul. Our pastors and leaders are saints, our brothers and sisters are saints, our church should be a house of saints. That is how we should feel about our church and the body in our church. We build a fellowship that can care for the needs of the saints, in other words each one of us. In a house of saints, no one is forgotten or neglected. Today is there a saint in your church that is in need? Why are they in need when Paul has told us in the verse to take care of them? Perhaps you should pray for discernment and guidance to follow Paul’s verse on giving. Amen.
DEC 17
SAINTS
Paul finished the verse with an order to the saints to give in a manner of hospitality. In other words starting in your home you begin to be hospitable.
“…given to hospitality.” (Rom 12:13)
In Paul’s time most of the leaders and pastors of the churches were always travelling from one place to another in need of lodgings and food. Who do you think welcomed them with hospitality, yes the saints in others churches. Now this is a very direct question, how about you, are you hospitable when the visiting saint comes to your church? Sometimes the lodging and food are all taken care of, but then you have an opportunity to give a gift package of your choice. In this month we celebrate a special day of giving at Christmas, actually we should make 365 days in the year our Christmas, remembering God gave His Son, what can we give back to Him? Today you have the opportunity to give something to someone showing them your hospitality. Amen.
DEC 18
BLESS MY ENEMIES
I have had some people in my life that really were not friends; in fact I don’t think they really liked me at all. They were always putting me down because of my lack of education. God taught me to write and now I rely on Him for each word.
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Rom 12:14)
Paul knew that the church had all types and some of them their opinions were not accepted by the majority. After all look at the disciples, one out of twelve betrayed Jesus and one out of eleven denied Him. So the Lord did as he told in the parable of the ninety-nine sheep. He left the eleven and took time to save Peter after his three denials, he needed healing to be what Jesus had known all the time, and Peter was to be the leader.
Peter had shown a horrible attitude that night Jesus was arrested. He had denied know his Master. In other words, Peter became Jesus’ ex friend and first class enemy. Jesus knew that Peter would regret his actions and therefore Jesus healed him and restored his peace. Blessing your enemy restores your peace. Praying for them that have persecuted you or cursed you will restore your peace. Having your peace restored is forgiving your enemy and asking for a blessing on them. So how about it, are you at perfect peace with all your relationships, do you have any enemies in your life that need forgiving and blessing? Amen.
DEC 19
WIN OR LOSE NEEDS LOVE
It is always easy to be glad and rejoice with others. When we know the winner we gladly join in on the celebration, but what about the other side, the loser, how do we deal with the loser?
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Rom 12:15)
Paul knew that it would not be necessary to comfort the winner, but the loser needs our support. Patting the back of the loser or just giving them a hug does not do it. If someone is weeping do you also start crying? Paul says that you too need to weep, because it is not just what you are saying to them but they can see your emotions and love that is what comforts them, the reality in your relationship, they hurt and you hurt.
Then the part about rejoicing, those emotions need to be real also. When Paul wrote this verse he was thinking of our emotions; our emotion to rejoice and our emotion to weep. There is a comment, “smile and the world will smile with to you, weep and you’re on your own.” Not a very nice comment but very true. Today Christians have to change that, “Worship with joy and weep with thanksgiving.” Who can you join today and share those emotions? Amen.
DEC 20
MISTREATMENT
I think it is sad when I see a program where there is an arrogant person mistreating another person. Wow, Paul must have thought such people were also in the church. I am sure he was sad because of it.
“Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Rom 12:16)
Paul was in rags in prison, in the cold with little to eat, and saying, keep away from high minded thoughts. All of us have a ministry we can complete for the Lord, I said, all of us. There may be a misunderstanding with the word ministry. Ministers are servants to the Lord, they serve Him first, then they minister to the body, ministers can be taken out of their churches to serve other churches in other areas. Ordained ministers are appointed to certain positions that the Lord calls them to do.
The Lord has an appointment for all them that surrender their lives to Him and all the appointments are highly esteemed because they are from Him. The House of the Lord, the church, needs maintaining and cared for as well as financial order. All of the body can help in these areas to serve the Lord. It needs a leader a pastor, and he needs helper’s, leadership and teachers. The church also needs carers to watch over the body’s needs and their families.
All these positions are equal to the Lord, He has no favourites. Therefore they should be equal to all of us, so there is no low estate in the church. No pride, no arrogance in the body of Christ. Love for all. If your church is not like I have told you Paul wants our churches to be, then there needs to be a change made. Changes are first made with prayer then action. Do you need to pray about a change today? Amen.
DEC 21
RECOMPENSE
How many times when you get scammed or cheated do you really want to pay them back? Paul called that “evil for evil”.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Rom 12:17)
When we were living in the flesh for the world we had a normal attitude to get back at those who have hurt us. But praise the Lord when we are now born-again of the Holy Spirit we no longer live for the world or the flesh we live for Jesus and therefore we are supernormal and no longer want to take revenge on those that hurt us, we want to forgive them and pray for them and their salvation. When we let God take care of our emotions, forgiving the evil that was done to us, we will find peace. Peace is always better than payback. Perhaps there is someone you would like to payback, the best thing is to forgive them and gain your peace. Amen.
DEC 22
THE THRONE OF GRACE
It is wonderful to think that God’s grace is our lifeline. He is on the throne of grace and that is where we always want to be.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25)
So Christian’s goals should be to abide at that throne of grace, to stay as close to His presence as we can, and we can through the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that we have a high priest, Jesus, who goes to the Father on our behalf. He intercedes on our behalf, concerning our health, finances and our relationships.
We can feel very secure knowing that He has our best interest in His intercession to the Father. When we know our high priest, Jesus, is praying for us we can declare victory over all our problems. Intercessional prayer is always for someone else who needs your prayers. Paul tells us that now Jesus lives to make intercessional prayers for us. Do you live for Jesus or are you more concerned with your own life. Today you can declare victory in Jesus name because He has prayed for you. Amen.
DEC 23
JESUS IN THE FLESH
When we think of God’s Son, we don’t think of Him like us, like us in the flesh.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” (Php 2:7)
When we read the Christmas story in the book of Luke we begin to comprehend how the birth of Jesus affects our lives. Jesus was born of a virgin from the seed of the Holy Spirit place in her womb. That is the WOW beginning.
Jesus was born and grew up just the same as other children, but when He was a man 30 years old, His spiritual being began His ministry where there were miracles for three years before His death on the Cross. Paul also tells us that Jesus, God’s Son and our Saviour, was a servant. When we think of servant we don’t think of someone with authority, but no man has ever had the authority that Jesus had and has today. There is only one man, only one Saviour to follow, Jesus. I hope you have made Him your King and your Saviour today. Amen.
DEC 24
HIS REASON TO COME
I know that you have heard and read the story of Jesus’ birth, of Him coming to us as a baby. It is now the time of the year we celebrate His arrival on earth from His Heavenly home.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:8)
Paul wrote in this verse the complete reason for Jesus to come to earth in the flesh as a human. The mystery of God in the flesh is not for us to understand, we must just believe. The world has taken Christmas to the level of magic, we as Christians take it to the level of miracles.
God’s choice was a beautiful young virgin to bring forth His Son. Miracle! There were shepherds at night with angels declaring His birth. Miracle! A star shinning over the place He was born. Miracle! Three Kings coming from many miles away to follow the star to find Him. Miracle! All these miracles were planted by God to bring us a Saviour, Jesus. The humility of the birth of the King of Kings. Miracle! When we see the beautiful birth of Jesus, and the miracles surrounding Him, we eliminate the magical Christmas, stay with the miracles, and Paul’s verse. So now we know the reason He came. Our Saviour came to die on the Cross at Calvary to save us. Miracle! Amen.
DEC 25
WHEN HE COMES
So today we celebrate Jesus’ birth, just like we celebrate a birthday. We gather family and friends with lovely food and amazing gifts. That is how we celebrate Christmas because our Saviour is born.
“Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php 2:9-11)
Now we know He came at Christmas and we celebrate that, how many do you know that are celebrating His second coming? His first arrival was a baby and His second coming will be as a lion. When Jesus comes the second time things will be very different, under the authority of man, but He will come with the highest authority over man.
Paul tells us all will bow down to Him. All includes the whole of God’s creation. The angels declared Jesus coming the first time, but now in His second coming Heaven with declare He is Lord. The joy we have at Christmas is singing carols glorifying the Lord, they will sound like a whisper to the sounds we will hear when He comes the second time. We will be confessing our love and loyalty to Him then, if we are not doing that now. Paul guarantees it. Today as you celebrate His first coming, make sure you remember He is coming again and celebrate that also. Amen.
DEC 26
BODY PARTS
When you walk into your church and see the congregation, do you think of Paul’s verse about the body?
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” (1Co 12:12)
Brothers and sisters in Christ together in one place represent the “body of Christ.” Look around and see the talents that are in your church body. Each member has a gift, perhaps there are many members with the same gift. Therefore they need to work together as a team, to glorify the Lord.
All the members in the human body were placed to help each other. That is the same plan the Lord has for the church. The gifts that people have in the church need to be exposed, so the people can get closer, find out who has the same gifts. After that manner the church develops teams, and teamwork. All the teams come together for the same goal to bring the gospel to the unbelievers until Christ returns. This is the time of the year people think of gifts, have you found your God given gift; has the gift that you have fit in perfectly with some others in your church? Perhaps you need to pray about your gift and where God wants you to use it? Amen.
DEC 27
TREE IN THE SEA
In all my life I have never seen a tree in the sea, in the river, yes, but never in the sea.
“And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
When the Lord said this to the disciples He knew it wasn’t going to happen. He said it to get their attention. They knew what a Sycamore tree looked like. First the roots were very deep and could not be just plucked up from the ground. Also they knew that trees have to have something stable to plant the roots in and the sea was too deep and always moving. Then on top of that He said the tree would obey them. I am sure they glanced at each other wondering how can a tree listen and obey.
Actually the Lord was more concerned about their faith than the tree. When you read this verse what is the one thing that stands out for you? Is it the tree obeying or faith the size of a mustard seed? The Lord is more concern about our faith and if we are faithful. He is concerned with the amount of faith we have, you see you may think that faith the size of mustard seed is very little faith, but you would be wrong. This verse tells you how wrong you are to think that way. Have you ever plucked a grown tree up by the roots? Have you ever tried to plant a tree in moving water? Both of them are humanly impossible.
Is it the impossible things that the Lord is saying we can change with faith and to believe? What about a virgin giving birth to the Son of God? From the moment that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, the impossible became possible and Mary’s answer to the angel was, “So be it,” in other words, “Amen.” How is your faith today? Perhaps you need some time with Lord for it to grow the size of a mustard seed, begin with prayer. Amen.
DEC 28
DEEP ROOTS PLUCKED OUT
I am not sure but I know that when we come to Christ we come asking his forgiveness for our sins. Perhaps these sins are rooted deep in us and His forgiveness is how they are plucked out of our hearts and lives when we are born-again.
“And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
When Jesus was speaking of the roots of the Sycamore tree that the disciples knew were very deep, He was speaking of deep rooted sin. Deep rooted sin can be remove and plucked out with the faith the size of mustard when that faith is in Christ. Purification for a Christian is very important if they want to bear fruit for Christ. That purification comes with repentance and forgiveness.
Having faith in Christ as a new born Christian, or in other words baby Christian, is the start of a life of purification. No sin in us should not be repented and plucked out of our lives. All un-forgiveness must be corrected in a bitter heart, must be plucked out to purify us for our servant-hood for Christ.
The process of purification is repentance. A servant of Christ needs to be a Christian that can, with a faithful heart, repent and forgive. No service to Him is worthy otherwise. Purification with your morning and evening prayers and all the other ones during the day, should be the path a Christian keeps to all his life. Sin exists in places that only God can see, deep roots, because it does exist in us we need our prayer time to be all the time. Have you made it your habit when addressing the Lord with the words, “Father forgive me for I have sinned.” Perhaps you need to speak with Him today. Amen.
DEC 29
KILLING THE ROOTS
Did you see the words Jesus spoke to His disciple about this very deep rooted Sycamore tree? He said they were to pluck it and plant it, but those are actions. Actions like that are forceful, so what have they to do with faith?
“And the Lord said, if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this Sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luk 17:6)
Faith comes before force. We must have faith that we can pluck out a deep rooted tree. I am sure this is another comment Jesus wants us to understand in the Spirit. So what is wrong with the roots that have taken hold and are growing in our hearts? The first thing is there must be sin there, sin that is deeply rooted and covered up. There can be sin there in our hearts that we ourselves can’t see, only the Holy Spirit sees it and can reveal it to us to pluck out.
So when we repent and have plucked out the roots, what next? Jesus said plant it in the sea. In other words pluck it out and kill the roots. If you take a tree and root it into the sea it will die, because of the saltwater in the sea. That is the message Jesus was giving us. When we repent and pluck out the sin, we must kill it off so it can never take root in our hearts again.
What could this sin be in our hearts, perhaps bitterness, hate, unforgiveness, envy or greed? Urgh! Those sins are nasty and should not be growing in the hearts of Christians. We are looking forward to a new year, so perhaps preparing for your new year; you may want to look closer into your heart and your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any roots that need plucking out and killing off forever? If so pray and repent. Amen.
DEC 30
RESTING WITH HIM
I am sure you have a lot to do on these last days of the year as you have just finished celebrating Christ’s birthday on the 25th. There were perhaps lots of preparation and people around for this holiday. Now you need to rest.
“Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:28)
With all the stress that has been going on in this last month of the year, you may think me a little daft to say now we can rest. It is not me it is Jesus, He is saying we can come to Him with all of last year’s pain, worries, relationships and all the stress we have had in the last twelve months, give it all to Him and have rest.
Not only today can we come with all these things, but we can come to Christ and the cross daily. It is at the foot of the cross we can daily lay them down. These words from Jesus are an invitation, every day we are invited to the cross to meet Him. We can come into the presence of God and rest with Him. That is what you can do in your daily prayer time today. Amen.
DEC 31
LOOKING FORWARD
This is the last day of the year. I am sure we have many memories and thanksgivings to look back on. Now we are just looking forward and giving thanks to the Lord for the coming year.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2Ti 1:7)
We may all be looking forward to a lot of adventures in the New Year, but the greatest adventure is the return of Christ on earth, and that could happen in the New Year. Paul says have a sound mind, which in the Greek means “sozo,” salvation and “phroneo,” mind. A sound mind is a mind saved and delivered of wrong thoughts that the enemy places in our minds, the spirit of fear, doubt, rejection, and hurt, those are the things that the enemy wants in our mind.
Paul reassures us in this verse that God has given us power and love, which overcomes the spirit of fear. Our minds can be turned to thinking about good things in the future and only expecting those good things. Now looking forward to this New Year we always have the promise that this maybe the year of Christ’s return, therefore we must have our thoughts and lives steadfast on what is to be done before His arrival. We want to see our loved one saved and our church serving for His return. This is the big plan for the New Year.
Perhaps there are agendas that need to be laid down so the more important ones can be first priorities. Fasting and praying for guidance of the Holy Spirit is one way and I think the best way to start the New Year. If you take that first week in this New Year taking an inventory of what God wants for you your family and your church, He will give you the sound mind and the sound path to follow. Happy New Year and May God Bless you through it. Amen.
